Manuel Tamayo-Torres, 45, from Tolleson, Arizona, was arrested by federal authorities for allegedly making death threats against President-elect Donald Trump and his family. The arrest on November 25, 2024, in San Diego, California, followed a series of social media videos where Tamayo-Torres displayed firearms and issued threats.
Court documents reveal that Tamayo-Torres uploaded various videos on Facebook over several months, accusing Trump of abducting and sex-trafficking his children. It is still unclear whether Tamayo-Torres has any children. In a video posted on November 21, he stated, “[Y]ou’re gonna die. [Y]our son’s gonna die. Your whole family is going to die… I’m going to put a hole in your face.”
On August 23, Tamayo-Torres recorded himself at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, during a Trump rally. He claimed that he saw Trump and Secret Service agents abducting his daughter to force her into prostitution.
Authorities have also charged Tamayo-Torres with making false statements during firearm purchases. In 2023, he reportedly lied on federal forms while trying to buy a pistol from a Phoenix gun store, denying any prior felony convictions despite a 2003 assault conviction in San Diego.
The arrest of Tamayo-Torres comes in the wake of an increase in threats against Trump and his associates. Last week, several of Trump’s notable Cabinet nominees and appointees were victims of bomb threats and “swatting” attacks, where false reports are made to trigger an armed law enforcement response. Trump’s transition team stated that federal authorities are actively investigating these incidents.
The individuals targeted included New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, nominated as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Matt Gaetz, who declined Trump’s nomination for attorney general. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, chosen to lead the Department of Labor, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, selected to head the Environmental Protection Agency, were also victims of these attacks. Authorities responded promptly to ensure the safety of the individuals and their families.
Two assassination attempts were made on President-elect Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign, one of which nearly ended his life. In July, a gunman armed with an AR–15–style rifle fired eight rounds at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, one bullet grazing Trump’s right ear and another killing a supporter in the crowd. The shooter, positioned 400 feet from the stage, was halted by a Secret Service sniper before further harm could be inflicted.
In another incident in September, a man armed with an AK-47 rifle was detained near Trump’s Florida golf course. The suspect had hidden himself for nearly 12 hours before being intercepted by Secret Service agents, averting another possible attack.
The FBI is currently investigating the most recent incident, underscoring the significance of safeguarding public figures and the democratic process’s security.